Disgruntled staff at BHD Windows downed tools after bosses announced they would be axing their two Washington factories in South Tyneside and relocating to Peterlee in Co Durham.

Production workers claim they have been left in the dark by the management for more than a month and frustration finally boiled over.

Based at the Glover Industrial Estate, the company employs around 350 people.

It is a major supplier of PVCu goods to stores such as DIY giants B&Q and Wickes and specialises in making doors, windows and conservatories.

A worker, who did not want to be named, told the Chronicle: "There are concerns about what will happen to employees when the company moves.

"It's dragged on and we haven't been given any information despite asking for it several times.

"Probably around half of the workers live in Washington and walk to work so relocation would be a nightmare.

"Feelings are running high and people have been thinking about doing something for a while and finally walked out yesterday." After workers on the late shift stormed out on Wednesday afternoon, staff on Thursday's day shift followed suit.

It is believed the company's managing director will be speaking to employees over the next few days to hammer out a solution.

Workers have apparently been told that transport may be provided for them during the next 12 months.

No one was available to comment at BHD when the Chronicle contacted the company.

Another worker, who did not want to be named, added: "They have offered to put a bus on for us but that's not the point.

"No one is telling us why we need to move in the first place and are scared this could means jobs are going to go.

"A lot of us have got families and are worried about the future. We felt like there was no option but to walk out."

A spokeswoman for workers' union ACAS said the union had not yet been approached by staff at BHD and was unable to comment on the situation.

Staff face an unsure future

Workers at BHD aren't the only ones to have faced a factory shut-down.

Earlier this month is was announced scores of jobs are to be lost at a Northumbrian electronics company - and bosses have refused to rule out further redundancies.

TTems, formerly Welwyn Systems, of Blyth, is to make 60 workers redundant on March 31 and can't guarantee the future of other staff.

Owners TT Electronics employs more than 200 staff in Blyth and Bedlington Station.

It said in September it had bounced back from the loss of jobs in the ailing telecoms sector by winning lucrative contracts.

But less than six months later, the company is to reduce its workforce by almost a third at the end of the month, leaving staff at the company facing an uncertain future.

Davey Hall, of union Amicus MSF, said: "It is a very worrying time for everybody at the factory. The company is not going into liquidation but we are aware that around 60 workers will be laid off at the end of the month."

A spokesman for the company told the Chronicle the losses were unfortunate.

He said: "Due to a slowdown in electronics and the effect this has had on our customer base, it is with regret TTems finds it necessary to announce the compulsory redundancy of 60 employees."